The J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport. Photo by File /Cape Breton PostArticle contentA Sydney to Halifax flight will return to J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentA $9-million investment from government partners will go towards providing regional air service between the three Maritime provinces.Article contentArticle contentThe three-year pilot program, jointly funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), provincial governments and regional airports, will see PAL Airlines regional aircraft using Halifax as a hub to provide connections to Sydney, Charlottetown, Fredericton and Moncton.Article contentArticle contentBookings are expected to be open later this year and flights will be offered daily.Article contentThe air service expansion was announced Friday afternoon in Charlottetown by premiers Rob Lantz (Prince Edward Island), Tim Houston (Nova Scotia), with New Brunswick regional development Minister Gilles LePage and Charlottetown MP Sean Casey.Article content“The Maritime provinces are strongly connected in our values, traditions, and industries. Regular connections by air, however, have been a missing link for businesses, residents and travellers, until now,” Houston said in a release. “Regional air access will strengthen the ties between our provinces and allow our economies to grow by increasing trade opportunities and further reducing trade barriers.Article content“Nova Scotia is proud to be at the centre of this work driving change in free trade nationwide and providing a vital connection between domestic and international destinations through the Halifax International Stanfield Airport and the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport. I’m excited to see what the Maritime region can accomplish over the next three years through this pilot.”Article contentArticle contentSYDNEY-HALIFAX ROUTE RETURNSArticle contentArticle contentThe news comes after Pascan Aviation, which arrived with much fanfare last October to set up a Sydney-Halifax route, pulled out of McCurdy Sydney Airport as of July 20 “following a careful review of its service demand for the Sydney-Halifax route and operational sustainability.”Article contentThe Sydney airport current has flights to Montreal and Toronto through Air Canada and a seasonal flight to Calgary via WestJet.Article contentArticle contentSydney-Glace Bay MP Mike Kelloway welcomed the news.Article content“Starting soon, PAL Airlines will operate two daily return flights between Sydney and Halifax, making it easier for Cape Bretoners to travel for work, medical appointments, family visits, and more,” Kelloway said in a post on his official Facebook page.Article content“I’ve been constantly pushing for better air access for our region, because I know how important reliable travel is for people and businesses across Cape Breton. This announcement is a step in the right direction.
Government funding means Sydney to Halifax airline route to return
